605th Tank Destroyer Battalion

Unit History: Reorganized from the 5th Antitank Battalion (Provisional), 5th Infantry Division, on 16 December, 1941, at Fort Custer, Michigan. Arrived at Clyde, Scotland, on 16 December, 1944. Landed at Le Havre, France, on 26 January, 1945, equipped with towed guns. Entered battle on 16 February near Tevern, Germany. Crossed Roer River on 24 February and joined drive to the Rhine. Deployed to Remagen bridgehead on 12 March. Withdrawn on 17 March and sent to Belgium to support British armored forces, but almost immediately attached to 17th Airborne Division. Crossed Rhine beginning 25 March at Xanten. Participated in reduction of the Ruhr Pocket in April. Crossed Elbe River on 30 April–1 May at Bleckede. Attached to: 17th, 82d Airborne divisions; 79th, 84th, 102d Infantry Division; 11th Cavalry Group; British 33d Armored Brigade. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.

4.) Website for the 605th Tank Destroyer Battalion - (TEMPORARILY OFFLINE) A very nice site created by Matthew S. Lynn to honor his grandfather, Sgt. Willie. W. Lynn of A Company, as well as all the other members of the unit. Since his initial research, additional families of the 605th have joined in and assisted Matthew on this worthy project.

5.) Unit History - A brief history of the unit, dated July 1, 1945, while in Pfungstadt, Germany. Booklet has a listing of staff officers, a few photos, a map with the path of the unit through Europe, a list of those that were killed or wounded and a song specific to the 605th. There is also a roster but the copy I received only contained a list of C Company's men. Provided courtesy of Craig S. Garsed.

6.) Roster of Men - Includes Headquarters, A, B and C Companies. The Reconnaissance Company is missing. Provided courtesy of Matthew S. Lynn.

7.) B Company Group Photo - The image has no date but Capt. William G. Garsed is identified as the Commanding Officer at the bottom. Capt. Garsed would also command C Company, at some later date. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Sadilek Moburg.

8.) HQ Company Group Photo - Capt. Howard W. Freck is identified as the Commanding Officer at the bottom. Photo courtesy of Paul Stevens.